CostIndexUSA

Evansville, IN vs Fort Smith, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IN
Evansville
91.5
overall index
$1,050/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Fort Smith
85.9
overall index
$1,025/mo rent

Fort Smith is moderately cheaper than Evansville — 6.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Evansville, you would need $75,100 in Fort Smith. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing19.9%
Evansville
66.7
Fort Smith
53.4
🛒 Groceries0.7%
Evansville
94.3
Fort Smith
93.6
🚗 Transportation3.8%
Evansville
104.1
Fort Smith
100.1
🏥 Healthcare3.8%
Evansville
94.2
Fort Smith
90.6
Utilities14.9%
Evansville
86.7
Fort Smith
73.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Evansville to see what you'd need to earn in Fort Smith to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Smith, AR
$75,100
$4,900 less needed in Fort Smith

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 0.9388. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Evansville, IN

Median Home Price
$214,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,050
Housing Index
66.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Fort Smith, AR

Median Home Price
$195,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,025
Housing Index
53.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.9×

Evansville has 19.9% lower housing costs compared to Fort Smith.

Income & Job Market

Evansville, IN

Median Household Income
$65,100
Per Capita Income
$37,100
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
118,414
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceRetailEducation

Fort Smith, AR

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
88,037
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailGovernmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Evansville, IN
5.2×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Fort Smith, AR
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.